Alex Dickinson

CV

7 min read

GAMES COMPUTING GRADUATE & DEVELOPER

PERSONAL PROFILE

Technical and adaptable developer with strong foundations in C#, C++, Python and JavaScript. Experienced in building and debugging gameplay systems, AI behaviours, procedural generation, and real-time simulations across a range of engines and platforms. Combines solid programming ability with an intuitive understanding of game design principles to create systems that are both robust and player-focused. Quick to learn new tools, highly detail-orientated, and effective under pressure when diagnosing and resolving complex issues.

  • Languages: C#, C++, Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, SQL
  • Engines/Tools: Unity, Unreal Engine, Houdini, PhysX, ROS2, Azure, DevOps, Vue3, Git/GitHub, Obsidian Plugin API
  • Systems: Procedural Generation, AI Pathfinding, Game Physics, Autonomous Robotics, Web Development

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Sainsbury’s | Washingborough Centre

Trading Assistant | Jul 2026 - Present

  • Operate tills, self-service checkouts and kiosk services, processing payments, returns and customer transactions accurately.
  • Diagnose and resolve common till and self-checkout faults, helping maintain smooth front-end operations.
  • Complete closing duties including securing areas, locking doors, cleaning equipment and preparing departments for the next trading day.
  • Maintain store standards through stock replenishment, equipment cleaning, waste handling.
  • Work flexibly across multiple store functions, prioritising tasks independently and responding quickly to operational issues.

Hollywood Bowl Inc. | Lincoln Centre

Receptionist, Bartender, Party Host | Oct 2025 - Present

  • Manage reception bookings, customer enquiries and walk-in sales in a busy bowling centre.
  • Serve customers across reception and bar while maintaining fast, friendly service during peak periods.
  • Host parties and group bookings, ensuring events run smoothly and guests receive a positive experience.
  • Work flexibly across reception, bar, arcade and bowling operations according to business needs.
  • Maintain and repair arcade machines and bowling lane systems, performing MIPS-certified diagnostics and resolving hardware faults to reduce downtime.

Recognition:

  • Induction Champion – selected for excellence in onboarding and training new staff
  • Reception Excellence – recognised for consistent high-standard front-of-house performance and booking management
  • Customer Service Gold – achieved 100+ positive customer mentions

Core Skills: Customer Service, Reception & Bookings, Bar Service, Event Hosting, Team Collaboration, Problem-Solving, Hardware Diagnostics, Maintenance.

The University of Lincoln

Associate Developer | Jan 2024–Aug 2025

DevOps Team
  • Supported and maintained university-facing digital services, investigating technical issues and working with the development team to resolve faults and improve reliability.
  • Worked closely with the core development team to enhance and sustain vital services for university students and staff. 
  • Led initiatives to streamline operations and enhance user satisfaction within key university services. 
  • Handled the creation of NavigateMe, a digital map used by students at the university.

Core Skills: C#, Quasar, .NET, Vue3, JavaScript, Bootstrap, JOSM, DevOps, and SQL.

Associate AI Engineer | June 2024–Sept 2024

Digital Innovation Centre of Excellence (DICE) Team
  • Using Azure resources to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of internal processes within the university via the development of AI solutions.
  • Using Microsoft Copilot Studio to create and configure copilots as well as researching and evaluating other areas of AI that could be utilised for improving current systems and processes.
  • Working alongside various individuals and teams across the university to identify and educate those on the limitations and opportunities of AI and how to best use the developed solutions.

Core Skills: Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Power Automate.

Student Content Creator | Sept 2023–Jan 2024

  • Executed video production and editing tasks using Adobe Premiere Pro, contributing to engaging multimedia content, notably in video promotion of the Lincoln International Business School.
  • Crafted effective promotional materials, including posters, through Adobe InDesign and designed striking graphics utilising Adobe Photoshop.

Core Skills: Adobe Suite, Video Editing, Marketing, Graphic Design.

Digital Marketing Placement Staff | July 2023–Sept 2023

Lincoln International Business School (LIBS) Team
  • Spearheaded website development initiatives using WordPress, highlighting proficiency in web design and content creation.
  • Developed a diverse skill set in digital media, offering hands-on experience in content creation, data analysis, and professional social media management.
  • Executed video production and editing tasks using Adobe Premiere Pro, contributing to engaging multimedia content, notably in video and graphic promotion of the Lincoln International Business School.

Core Skills: Adobe Suite, Video Editing, Marketing, Graphic Design.

PROJECTS

Procedural Medieval Environment Generation Tool

  • Used Houdini to generate modular medieval kingdom layouts and imported them into Unreal for dynamic environment generation and testing.
  • Technical Skills: Unreal Engine, C++, Houdini, Procedural Content Generation

AI Snake Game

  • Simulated adaptive AI pathfinding using NetLogo in a classic Snake-style game, focusing on agent decision-making and environmental feedback loops, and expanded the project into a 3D version with enhanced AI pathing.
  • Technical Skills: NetLogo, Pathfinding Algorithms

3D Dungeon Generator

  • Developed and tested a 3D dungeon generator in Unity using Delaunay triangulation and Minimum Spanning Trees to optimise level flow.
  • Technical Skills: Unity, Procedural Content Generation

Wrecking Ball Physics Simulation

  • Built a real-time physics simulation using C++ and Nvidia PhysX to simulate destructible buildings and articulated machinery.
  • Technical Skills: C++, PhysX, Physics Simulation

Hack and Slash Game

  • Created a third-person melee combat system in Unity, including enemy AI behaviour, health systems, and a responsive input-driven attack system.
  • Technical Skills: Unity, Game Design

Autonomous Cleaning Robot

  • Programmed autonomous cleaning bots in Python using ROS2, featuring collision avoidance, task scheduling, and environmental scanning.
  • Technical Skills: Python, Autonomous Robotics

Custom Obsidian Plugins

  • Built two custom plugins for the Obsidian note-taking app in JavaScript/TypeScript, using the Obsidian Plugin API:
    • PDF Exporter: renders Markdown notes (including embeds) into print-ready A4 PDFs; strips frontmatter and comments, supports manual page breaks, and opens a sandboxed print preview, with its own settings tab.
    • Liftoff Sync (in testing): imports workouts from the Liftoff fitness app into dated notes, with token-based sign-in, duplicate detection and a settings UI.
  • Technical Skills: JavaScript, TypeScript, Obsidian Plugin API, REST/tRPC APIs, esbuild, Git/GitHub

Lane Tetris Booking Optimiser

  • Designed a constraint-based scheduler that packs bowling-lane bookings like Tetris, scoring placements for accessibility, VIP and league lanes, maintenance blocks and shared tables; built a working prototype that mimics the live booking system and demoed it to management.
  • Technical Skills: Python, Optimisation Algorithms, Constraint Scoring, Prototyping
  • Built NavigateMe, a digital campus map used by students across the university.
  • Technical Skills: Vue3, Quasar, C#, .NET, SQL, JOSM

EDUCATION

The University of Lincoln | Sept 2022–Sept 2025

Bachelor of Science, Games Computing (1st Class Honours)

  • Graduated with First Class Honours, developing strong technical and problem-solving skills across software development, databases and digital systems.
  • Completed academic and extracurricular projects requiring planning, documentation, teamwork and working to deadlines.
  • Served as Games Programming Course Representative and Vice President and Social Secretary of the Computer Science Society, developing communication, organisation and leadership skills.
  • Received the Lincoln Award Plus in recognition of employability, professional development and extracurricular involvement.
  • Participated in the Video Games, Snowsports and Athletics Societies, contributing to a broad range of university activities and communities.

Lincoln School of Science and Technology (LSST) | Sept 2017–Sept 2022

A-Levels: Computer Science, Philosophy, Mathematics, and Further Mathematics

  • Systems Control in Engineering BTEC Grade: Distinction*
  • BTEC Level 2 Diploma for Teamwork and Personal Development in the Community
  • ILM Level 2 Award for Young Leaders

Additional Certifications:

  • Full UK Driving Licence
  • Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook
  • HackerRank Certifications: C#, Problem Solving, Python, SQL and JavaScript

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Community Event Organiser / Dungeon Master

  • Organise and run regular tabletop gaming sessions, coordinating schedules, preparation and group activities.
  • Facilitate groups and adapt plans in real time to keep sessions organised and engaging.

Volunteer Marshal, Sk8s Roller Disco

  • Set up and pack away skating and disco equipment for events.
  • Support beginner skaters and help maintain a safe, organised skating environment.

REFERENCES

  • Available on Request

Backlinks